White Rhino vs Hippopotamus: The gentle giant of Africa’s grasslands comes horn to tusk with the fearsome beast that inhabits its waters.
Rhinoceros
The second largest land animal in the world, the rhinoceros is a living tank.
Rhinos are renowned for their massive size and lethal horns.
The only natural predator to a full grown rhino is the lion and even that is very rare, requiring a large and skilled pride to accomplish the tremendous task of taking one down.
Despite their bulky build, rhinos can run up to 30 miles (50 km) an hour, making them a practically unstoppable charging force.
Hippopotamus
The third largest land mammal in the world, the hippo is a living tank of muscle and fat, armed with 20 inch (51 cm) lethal tusks.
As if it wasn’t enough to have the strongest bite force of all mammals, hippos are also extremely aggressive and territorial, making them a wild fury of brute strength.
In addition to everything else, they also have very thick skin, making it extremely hard for even the most fearsome predators to penetrate.
Other than the occasional giant crocodile, lions are the only animals known to hunt full grown hippos, and it takes a large and skilled pride to be able to do so.
White Rhinoceros vs Hippopotamus
| Stats | White Rhinoceros | Hippopotamus |
| Weight | 5,500 lb (2,495 kg) | 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
| Length | 15 ft (4.6m) | 16.5 ft (5m) |
| Height | 7 ft (2.1m) | 5.2 ft (1.6m) |
The hippo may be smaller than the rhino, but is beyond the shadow of a doubt far more vicious.
At 1,800 PSI, the hippo’s bite, paired with its stake-like tusks, are enough to cause seriously injury, even to a powerhouse such as the rhino, should it be able to get close enough.
The rhino, on the other hand, is not only bigger but is also equipped with long horns that can keep the hippo at bay should it try to attack. Not to mention that the horns are sharp and lethal and are more than capable of goring a fully grown hippo.
On the other hand, should the rhino decide to charge the hippo (at it often will against an opponent), there is virtually nothing the hippo can do, but to open its mouth to defend itself, using its devastating jaws. However, this would mean opening its mouth and making it vulnerable to the rhino’s horn.
Conclusion
Both animals are highly formidable monsters of the savanna, but the probability is that the White Rhinoceros would be the superior in a match between the two. Although the hippo does stand a minimal chance of overcoming the rhino, it is more likely it will have to retreat in order to live to fight another day.